Portland Timbers (2-4-6) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (3-1-8)
As the MLS season progresses, an intriguing matchup is set for mid-May with the Portland Timbers hosting the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park. The Timbers, with a record of 2 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses, are looking to turn their season around, while the Earthquakes, standing at 3 wins, 1 draw, and 8 losses, are eager to climb up from the bottom tier. This game is crucial for both teams as they strive to gain momentum in the league, making this an important fixture for MLS picks and predictions.
Though the Portland Timbers did not have a high winning rate, they displayed some excellent offensive talent through their midfield, attacking and so on. Evander, outstanding midfielder of the team, has scored 4 goals, and provided 3 assists. For the team he has become a key player in the second row. Forward Felipe Mora, with the same number of goals and fewer games, has shown his efficiency in front of the net. The squad’s quality to antagonize San Jose’s defense, which has conceded 19 goals thus far, could be the silver lining. With the presence of Santiago Moreno and his agility and creative offensive playing style, the defensive weaknesses of Earthquakes may be pushed to a greater extent.
On the contrary, the San Jose Earthquakes have their own offensive threats. Amahl Pellegrino and Jeremy Ebobisse, respectively scoring goals from forward positions, are whom the team relies on to support their attacking strategies. In spite of their defensive frailties, the victory could be won on the opposite side as well as the tendency of the Timbers to be caught offside at times (16 goals so far) will be exploited by the visitors. The dynamic in attack spearheaded by these players will be the key as they are facing the Timbers defense led by goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes Game Info
When: | Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 10:30 PM ET |
Where: | Providence Park |
TV: | ATV |
Stream: | – |
Maxime Crépeau GK vs. William Yarbrough GK
Maxime Crepeau has 29 saves but 16 goals against record in 8 starts shows a situation. His will power will be challenged by the San Jose’s forward line that has shown some promising moments. His heroic saves have probably proved critical in many close-knit matches that Portland didn’t concede a single goal.
On the other hand, where William Yarbrough with a comparable number of saves, but a slightly higher goals against average needs to compete with the Portland attack which has multiple threats. His organization of the defense and crucial saves could be the difference between winning or losing while San Jose is on the road.
Soccer Odds/Point Spread: Portland Timbers -125, Total Odds: 2.5
The current betting odds favor Portland Timbers slightly, reflected in their -125 moneyline. The game’s total is set at 2.5, with the under slightly favored at +130, suggesting expectations of a tightly contested match with fewer goals.
Portland Timbers Betting Trends
The Timbers have been on a bad run lately, having won only 2 out of their last 5 games but they have been better against the spread at home. The downward trend of games finishing over the total points predicts the possibility of an exact match result this time, especially with their offensive chances at home.
San Jose Earthquakes Betting Trends
San Jose’s recent form does not bring up a lot of hope in the team as the last five games were poor and the away record against the spread is not good. Nevertheless, every game that went over the total recently implies that their games are often high-scoring, mainly because of the leaky defense.
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes 5/15/24 Betting Picks
Given both teams’ defensive woes and propensity for higher-scoring games, betting on the total going over might be prudent. The Timbers, with home advantage and slightly better form, appear poised to edge out a victory.
For those interested in prop bets or best live betting, focusing on individual player performances like Evander’s shots on target or any time goalscorer could offer additional value. This prediction considers both teams’ offensive abilities and recent defensive vulnerabilities. Expect a game with opportunities and Portland capitalizing on their home-field advantage.